Antares Rolls Out for Pathfinder Operations

OSC PR — For the next several days, Orbital will be conducting “pathfinder” operations for the critical process of rolling out and erecting the Antares rocket at the MARS launch Pad 0A at Wallops Island. In the top photo below, the Antares first stage has just left the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF), beginning its one-mile trip to the launch pad aboard the specially designed Transporter/Erector/Launcher (TEL). In the lower photo the first stage ascends the ramp leading to the pad. (NASA Photos)

Expect to see more photos and video from Orbital and NASA in the coming days as the rocket begins its fit check operations at the pad, after it is erected to a vertical position at the launch pad.